Noel Clarke joins Par’s ‘Star Trek 2’

Regular on BBC's 'Dr. Who' added for 2013 tentpole

Brit actor-director Noel Clarke, who has a recurring role on the BBC’s hit series “Doctor Who,” has been cast in J.J. Abrams’ Paramount tentpole “Star Trek 2.”

He joins franchise newcomers Alice Eve and Peter Weller in the sci-fi sequel, which is skedded for release on May 17, 2013. Paramount had no comment on the casting.

While the details of Clarke’s role are being kept under wraps, he will play a family man with a wife and young daughter.

Abrams is directing from a script by Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Damon Lindelof. That quartet will also produce the “Star Trek” sequel with Bryan Burk and David Ellison through Bad Robot and Skydance Prods.

A major star in the U.K., Clarke is the third high-profile Brit to join the ensemble, following Eve and returning thesp Simon Pegg. Clarke wrote and co-starred in the 2006 pic “Kidulthood” and went on to write, direct and star in its 2008 sequel, “Adulthood.” In addition to writing, directing, producing and starring alongside Emma Roberts in the heist film “4.3.2.1,” Clarke has appeared in Neil Marshall’s “Centurion” and the Andy Serkis starrer “Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll.”